Sharpen your manga
drawing skills with
this handy guidebook
and sketchpad all
in one, brought to
you by best-selling
how-to-draw author
Christopher Hart.
Sketch along
with Christopher as
you learn to create
manga fairies,
princesses, samurai,
cute creatures, and
many more amazing
fantasy characters.
With step-by-step
instruction alongside
artist-quality sketch
pages, improving your
manga prowess has
never been easier!
■

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hart Christopher, 1957All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro- Manga drawing class: a guided sketchbook for creating fantasy & advenduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, ture characters / Christopher Hart. — First edition.
pages cm
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or informaISBN
978-1-936096-87-9
tion storage-and-retrieval systems—without written permission
1. Comic books, strips, etc.—Japan—Technique. 2. Figure Drawing—Techof the publisher.
nique. 3. Fantasy in art. I. Title.
NC1764.5.J3H36943 2015
The written instructions, photographs, designs, projects, and pat- 741.5'10952--dc23
terns are intended for the personal, noncommercial use of the retail
2014040853
Manufactured
in
China
purchaser and are under federal copyright laws; they are not to be
reproduced in any form for commercial use. Permission is granted 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
to photocopy content for the personal use of the retail purchaser.
First Edition

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✺

To all my fellow
manga fans
—Christopher

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Contents
Introduction 8

1

Fairies
10

2

Goddesses, Angels,
and Demons
40

3

Adventure Characters:
Warriors of the Blade
60

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4

Knights & Nobles
80

5

Magical Characters
& Powers
96

6

Not-Too-Evil-Spirits
108

7

Adventure Characters
of Tomorrow
124

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Introduction

You’re about to take a journey into the world of fantasy

and adventure. All of your favorite characters are here, from fairies, angels,
and princesses to demons, animal spirits, wizards, and more. There’s even a
collection of fun chibi characters to draw. The last chapter, “Beyond
Tomorrow,” takes you into the future with the latest trends of the fantasy
genre. But the adventure never ends. The information and techniques
within these pages will be a valuable asset in your growth as a manga artist.
And you’ll get expert instruction. Christopher Hart, the world’s bestselling how-to-draw author, teaches with a friendly and engaging manner,
coupled with an abundance of step-by-step illustrations. In almost no time,
you’ll see your drawings improve and come to life.
Manga Drawing Class makes practicing something to look forward to.
In addition to illustrated art instruction, this book contains quality sketch
paper throughout that is perfect for pen
or pencil drawing. Now you can
follow the steps without having
to scramble to find more paper.
The book provides it for you.
You’re about to set sail on a
sea of imagination.
Let the voyage begin!
9

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Fairies

10

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Fairies are among the best-loved characters in the manga fantasy genre.
The tiny inhabitants of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smallest kingdom exude gracefulness and charm. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn
how to capture an enchanted look in our drawings. All fairies have different roles and different
personalities too, from ordinary villagers to fairy queens and defenders of the realm.

11

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Young Fairies: Female
Tips of
wings end
in a point

Fairies are drawn with a

slighter build than their human
counterparts. This girl fairy
stands on a leaf, which shows not
only her size but also suggests how
light she is. The slender build is
combined with oversized wings.

16
16

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Practice Page

TIP

Her hair is breezy
and natural looking.
A flower or jewel in the
hair is popular.

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Wind Fairy

Fairies are often associated with nature’s

elements, such as the sun, moon, rain, and
wind. Each of them requires a visual tie-in.
For example, wind is tied to the effect it has
on this fairy’s hair and clothing. To further
enhance the effect, random leaves and petals
cascade along the breeze.

Body bends
forward, creating a pleasing
flow to the
overall pose

Draw the legs
together for an
elegant look.

The sleeves
“bell” out.

Fiery colored hair

Clothes trail off
in the breeze

28

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â&#x153;ş

Note his position
on top of a tree
branch. From this
perch, he can
rain arrows down
on the enemy.
Advantage: fairies.

38

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Goddesses, Angels,
and Demons

40

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In the fantasy genre, there are beings of “light” (good) as well as
beings of “darkness” (bad). The bad ones have sinister good looks, while
the righteous ones have gentle, innocent expressions.

serene, don’t do anything bad
to upset her. She’s got a sword
and she knows how to use it.
Although these characters can
come to the rescue, they’re not
always that helpful, offering
cryptic riddles instead of
lending a hand.

42

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Practice Page

TIP
TIP

The feet overlap,
which gives the
appearance of
depth.

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Draw
individual
feathers.

A flowing
gown is
essential.

✺

She’s just like the girl next door. Except for the wings,
robe, swords, the ability to fly, and green hair.
44

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â&#x153;ş

48

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Sometimes cast as a defending angel,
this tranquil spirit is a formidable foe.

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Adventure Characters:
Warriors of the Blade

60

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From ancient samurai to pop culture heroes, the characters of swordplay stir the
imagination. These masters of the blade are exciting fantasy and adventure characters
of manga. Instead of relying on special powers to defeat their enemy, these fighters rely
on their amazing skill to defeat multiple opponents at the same time.

61

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Samurai Man

The loyal warrior has

Large
upper
body

rugged good looks, a square
chin, and a strong jawline.
He may start out the story
wearing his entire outfit,
but as the journey gets
more harrowingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and as
he must fight off bandits,
killers, and beasts along the
wayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;he loses part of his
uniform and goes shirtless.

â&#x153;ş
Exaggerated perspective is a tool that
creates intense character poses.
In this example, the arm and hand,
which appear to be coming
toward us, are drawn
bigger for a
dramatic effect.
Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t he look
more powerful
this way?

68

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â&#x153;ş

I just want to remind you
that this is not a jump
rope. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lost more manga
fighters that way. Her
confident expression lets us
know that she means business.

74

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â&#x153;ş

Show the star when it has already left her hand
and is traveling toward us. That creates a more
dramatic moment than showing it still in her hand.

78

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Princesses
& Knights

80

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In this chapter, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn how to draw royal and adventurous princesses
and other royal character types. Stories that feature these characters take place in the
past, present, and future times. Their nobility is typically seen in their ornate
accessories, dramatic outfits, and poses.

81

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Magical Characters
& Powers

96

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There are three basic types of magical powers. The first comes from the
character itself, like the ability to shape-shift. The second comes from something the
character controls, like the wind. And the third is something that gives the
character special powers, such as a crystal or a playing card.

97

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Animal Spirits and Demons

Fantasy heroes often have

a secret—they are cursed!
They are part animal and part
demon. Therefore, heroes
often set out on a journey to
find the person who put
the hex on them in order to
rid themselves of it.

Rigid arm adds
strength to
the pose

Slope
Heel slopes away
from the body

Lock the knee

TIGER GIRL

Notice how flames arise from
the tiger’s stripes. The tiger
represents a style of Shaolin
Kung-Fu, so it’s a perfect
match for this skilled fighter.
100

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Practice Page

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Not-Too-Evil
Spirits

108

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Manga is filled with irrestible, naughty spirits. These curious beings are
created with simple-but-inventive designs and entertaining color schemes. Although they are
as cute as can be, they are also wicked. But that’s “wicked” with a small “w.” Before they wreak
too much havoc, let’s have some fun drawing these charming troublemakers.

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Adventure Characters
of Tomorrow

124

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Zoom with me into the future. Tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world is sure to be exciting,
but also filled with danger. Nothing in the future is set in stone yet. You have a chance
to alter it with the actions of your adventurous characters.

125

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CARTOONING

SKETCH
YOUR WAY
TO MANGA
MASTERY!

✺

Sharpen your manga
drawing skills with
this handy guidebook
and sketchpad all
in one, brought to
you by best-selling
how-to-draw author
Christopher Hart.
Sketch along
with Christopher as
you learn to create
manga fairies,
princesses, samurai,
cute creatures, and
many more amazing
fantasy characters.
With step-by-step
instruction alongside
artist-quality sketch
pages, improving your
manga prowess has
never been easier!
■